Beat The Winter “Blues” 

This time of year everyone seems to be getting a little "stir crazy".  Winter is a beautiful time of the year, however the cold can take a toll on those of us that live in the frozen tundra. I won't pretend that I love the long winter months, but I have come up with a few ways to make peace with winter and find a little joy.  I thought I would share in hopes that you, too, can find joy in the long winter days. 1.  Rise and Shine Naturally, people tend to want to sleep more during the winter months.  Aim for 7-8 hours a sleep a night, and try to keep your bedtime and waking time consistent. That way, your sleeping patterns can normalize and you’ll have more energy. 2.  Help Others Helping others in a great way to get you out of your winter blues funk.  Trust me on this one, it's amazing how our mood and attitude changes when we reach out and help those around us.  Give it a try - you will not be disappointed. 3.  Eat Less Sugar Eating less sugar will give you more energy. I know, many of you are saying, "not this message again, Julie". I seem to share this thought a lot. However, cutting back on the amount of sugar you consume will make you feel better and have higher energy levels. Simultaneously, eating well strengthens your immune system and this will make you less susceptible to getting sick. 4. Give Something New A Try Winter is a great time to try something new.  It's always fun to step out of your comfort zone and spice things up a little.  Maybe there is a new hobby you have wanted to try, new exercise class, new book, class, or a new style of clothes - the skies the limit.  Step out and give something new a try! 5.  Comfort Foods There are many wonderful winter "comfort foods" I enjoy making during the long winter months.  Soups, casseroles, warm pastas.......the list goes on and on! I love taking time to whip  up healthy "alternatives" to my favorite comfort foods! It's a fun way to include the whole family in the cooking process.